Chief Sam Bailey
Chief Sam Bailey passed away
just after Muster XIII, November 1998. He passed away in his sleep.
All who knew Sam were saddened by this event. But Sam will live on
in the minds and hearts of all those Team Members who were lucky
enough to have had the opportunity to serve with him or know him.
Chief Sam Bailey enlisted in the Navy in December of 1941 and was
called to active duty in January of 1942. His first tour of duty was
as a Seaman on the USS Ellis (DD-154) out of Brookly, NY. During
1942 and 1943, his ship served as a part of the North Atlantic Fleet
scouting out enemy submarines.
Upon completion of Gunner's Mate School, Chief Bailey was assigned
to the USS Hana (DE-449) out of Brooklyn, NY. While in Brooklyn,
Chief Bailey volunteered for the Underwater Demolition Team (NCDU).
He was sent to Ft. Pierce, FL and completed training in June of
1945. Chief Bailey was assigned to Oceanside, CA as a part of UDT-30.
After WWII UDT-30 Sam was relocated to Coronado, CA. UDT-30 was
redesignated as Team FOX, one of only 6 UDT Teams in existence. In
1946 2 of the 6 Teams were relocated to the East Coast. Team FOX
arrived at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek and was re-named
UDT-2. UDT-2 was later re-named UDT-21 in 1954.
Chief Bailey was involved in varied operations and assignments in
UDT. He made Med and Caribbean Cruises on the Plymouth Rock
(LSD-29), worked with setting the DEW line in Greenland, traveled to
the South Pole as a part of 'Operation Deep Freeze' and made
deployments to St. Thomas for advanced operational training. Chief
Bailey became known as the 'Ambassador of Good Will' in St. Thomas
for his work there.
During his time at the Creek, Chief Bailey got the opportunity to
work with Jacque Cousteau who introduced the UDT members to their
first aqualungs.
At the Creek, Chief Bailey was Master-At-Arms for 11 years, serving
under 8 different commands, before making Chief. This is perhaps due
to Chief Bailey's ability to straighten out the so called "problem
sailor". One thing is certain. The men respected Chief Bailey and
Chief Bailey respected the men.
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